bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Aug. 29, 2024
Abstract
Comprehensive
understanding
of
dynamics
and
disease-associated
solidification
biomolecular
condensates
is
closely
tied
to
analysis
their
mechanical
characteristics.
Despite
recent
technical
advances
in
rheological
studies
condensates,
these
still
vastly
rely
on
methods
restricted
small
forces,
rendering
measurements
droplets
with
higher
elasticities
after
transition
solid
challenging.
Here,
we
develop
assays
for
in-depth
characterization
by
scanning
probe
microscopy.
We
demonstrate
this
technique
measuring
the
behavior
heterotypic
poly-L-lysine
heparin
showcasing
multi-route
liquid
gel
transition,
as
well
rejuvenation
chemical
alterations
medium.
Due
wide-spread
application
microscopy
biological
fields,
its
capability
rapid,
high
throughput,
force
range
studies,
integration
nanoscale
morphological
measurements,
our
probe-based
method
a
significant
breakthrough
investigating
condensate
behavior,
leading
accelerated
development
therapies.
Soft Matter,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
21(10), P. 1781 - 1812
Published: Jan. 1, 2025
Peptide-mediated
liquid–liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS)
underpins
the
formation
of
dynamic
biomolecular
condensates,
regulated
by
diverse
molecular
interactions,
and
highlights
potential
applications
in
drug
delivery
synthetic
biology.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 141677 - 141677
Published: March 1, 2025
Transactive
response
(TAR)
DNA-binding
protein
43
(TDP-43)
is
a
critical
RNA/DNA-binding
involved
in
various
cellular
processes,
including
RNA
splicing,
transcription
regulation,
and
stability.
Mislocalization
aggregation
of
TDP-43
the
cytoplasm
are
key
features
pathogenesis
several
neurodegenerative
diseases,
amyotrophic
lateral
sclerosis
(ALS),
frontotemporal
dementia
(FTD),
Alzheimer's
disease
(AD).
This
review
provides
comprehensive
retrospective
prospective
analysis
research,
highlighting
structural
insights,
significant
milestones,
evolving
understanding
its
physiological
pathological
functions.
We
delineate
five
major
stages
from
initial
discovery
as
hallmark
neurodegeneration
to
recent
advances
liquid-liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS)
behavior
interactions
with
processes.
Furthermore,
we
assess
therapeutic
strategies
targeting
pathology,
categorizing
approaches
into
direct
indirect
interventions,
alongside
modulating
aberrant
LLPS.
propose
that
future
research
will
focus
on
three
areas:
polymorphisms
for
disease-specific
therapeutics,
exploring
dual
temporal-spatial
modulation
TDP-43,
advancing
nano-therapy.
More
importantly,
emphasize
importance
TDP-43's
functional
repertoire
at
mesoscale,
which
bridges
molecular
functions
broader
offers
foundational
framework
development.
Science Advances,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
11(16)
Published: April 18, 2025
Synapsin
and
α-synuclein
represent
a
growing
list
of
condensate-forming
proteins
where
the
material
states
condensates
are
directly
linked
to
cellular
functions
(e.g.,
neurotransmission)
pathology
neurodegeneration).
However,
quantifying
condensate
properties
in
living
systems
has
been
substantial
challenge.
Here,
we
develop
micropipette
aspiration
whole-cell
patch-clamp
(MAPAC),
platform
that
allows
direct
quantification
live
cells.
We
find
10,000-fold
variations
viscoelasticity
synapsin
condensates,
regulated
by
partitioning
α-synuclein,
marker
for
synucleinopathies.
Through
vitro
reconstitutions,
identify
multiple
molecular
factors
distinctly
regulate
viscosity,
interfacial
tension,
maturation
confirming
roles
α-synuclein.
Overall,
our
study
provides
unprecedented
quantitative
insights
into
neuronal
reveals
crucial
role
regulating
viscoelasticity.
Furthermore,
envision
MAPAC
applicable
broad
range
vivo.
npj Imaging,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
3(1)
Published: Jan. 13, 2025
Abstract
Label-free
optical
microscopy
utilizes
the
information
encoded
in
light
scattered
off
unlabeled
particles
to
generate
images.
This
review
article
starts
with
a
discussion
on
how
this
matter
interaction
gives
rise
issues
of
poor-contrast
and
diffraction-limited
spatial
resolution.
Then,
reviews
various
far-field
label-free
techniques
that
have
been
developed,
an
emphasis
physical
mechanisms
behind
image
formation
processes
such
techniques.
Thus
aims
elucidate
state-of-the-art
their
current
applications.
The Plant Journal,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
121(5)
Published: March 1, 2025
Expansion
microscopy
(ExM)
achieves
nanoscale
imaging
by
physical
expansion
of
fixed
biological
tissues
embedded
in
a
swellable
hydrogel,
enhancing
the
resolution
any
optical
microscope
several-fold.
While
ExM
is
commonly
used
animal
cells
and
tissues,
there
are
few
plant-specific
protocols.
Protoplasts
widely
cell
system
across
plant
species,
especially
studying
biomolecule
localization.
Here,
we
present
an
approach
to
achieve
robust
protoplasts,
termed
PrOtoplast
SystEms
(ExPOSE).
We
demonstrate
that
coupling
ExPOSE
with
other
techniques,
immunofluorescence
situ
hybridization
chain
reaction
visualize
proteins
mRNAs,
respectively,
greatly
enhances
spatial
endogenous
biomolecules.
Additionally,
this
study,
tested
effectiveness
versatility
technique
observe
biomolecular
condensates
Arabidopsis
protoplasts
transcription
factors
maize
at
increased
resolution.
can
be
relatively
inexpensive,
fast,
simple
implement.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: July 16, 2024
Abstract
Expansion
microscopy
(ExM)
achieves
nanoscale
imaging
by
physical
expansion
of
fixed
biological
tissues
embedded
in
a
swellable
hydrogel,
enhancing
the
resolution
any
optical
microscope
several-fold.
While
ExM
is
commonly
used
animal
cells
and
tissues,
there
are
few
plant
specific
protocols.
Protoplasts
widely
cell
system
across
species,
especially
studying
biomolecule
localization.
Here,
we
present
an
approach
to
achieve
robust
protoplasts,
termed
Ex
pansion
P
r
O
toplast
S
yst
E
ms
(ExPOSE).
We
demonstrate
that
coupling
ExPOSE
with
other
techniques,
immunofluorescence
situ
hybridization
chain
reaction
visualize
proteins
mRNAs,
respectively,
greatly
enhances
spatial
endogenous
biomolecules.
Additionally,
this
study,
tested
effectiveness
versatility
technique
observe
biomolecular
condensates
Arabidopsis
protoplasts
transcription
factors
maize
at
increased
resolution.
can
be
relatively
inexpensive,
fast,
simple
implement.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(34), P. 8706 - 8714
Published: Aug. 19, 2024
We
investigated
the
binding
between
c-MYC
G-quadruplex
(GQ)
and
berberine
chloride
(BCl)
in
an
aqueous
two-phase
system
(ATPS)
with
12.3
wt
%
polyethylene
glycol
5.6
dextran,
mimicking
highly
crowded
intracellular
biomolecular
condensates
formed
via
liquid–liquid
phase
separation.
found
that
ATPS,
complex
formation
is
significantly
altered,
leading
to
increase
affinity
a
change
stoichiometry
of
respect
neat
buffer
conditions.
Thermodynamic
studies
reveal
becomes
more
thermodynamically
favorable
ATPS
due
entropic
effects,
as
strong
excluded
volume
effect
inside
droplets
reduces
penalty
associated
binding.
Finally,
BCl
for
GQ
higher
than
those
other
DNA
structures,
indicating
potential
specific
interactions.
Overall,
these
findings
will
be
helpful
design
drugs
targeting
structures
cancer-related
biocondensates.